Labour leader Pete Edwards retained his seat in Whipton Barton but the day's biggest casualty was Conservative leader Yolonda Henson who had held the seat in Polsloe for the last 32 years.

She said: "You have go to expect these things. I have spent 32 years supporting my city, virtually my whole working life and maybe people just felt they needed a change."

She said she thought the results were as people had decided no tto vote for the main political parties.

Across the country the Tories and Labour suffered today as voters turned to UKIP in the local elections, with the two largest parties in Westminster losing control of councils as a result of gains for Nigel Farage's 'people's army'.

Stunning results in southern councils appeared to indicate that Essex residents were increasingly voting UKIP and, in a worrying sign for Ed Miliband, the party also made inroads in Labour's northern heartlands.

UKIP gained 11 seats in Basildon to ensure it went from Tory to no overall control, and gains in Castle Point and Southend resulted in the loss of Conservative majority control in those authorities.

Ms Henson added: "For the first time in my many years I could not make out how things were going to go. I could not put my finger on it.

"It can be dangerous when people start voting against the main parties."

Leader of the council Pete Edwards said: "It has been a great day for Labour and for Exeter and we will now focus on our programme of growth for the city.

"On a personal level I am delighted to be re-elected and we have several new councillors who I am looking forward to working with."